A yellow taxi pulled over at the entrance of the hospital, and a girl
wearing denim bootcut jeans and a sky blue-colored baby doll tops came out,
carrying a bouqet *did I spell that right?* of white lilies and dandelions
in her arms. It was Chizu, and she came to visit her brother with Nanao,
who's wearing a newly-bought pink dress.
Nanao : Chizu Ne-chan, is it true that Oni-chan is here?
Chizu : Well yes, Nanao… He's staying here because Oni-chan needs to be taken care of… He had some serious wounds on his stomach, and he had lost so much blood…
Nanao : Uh? Oni-chan… What happened to him? Tell me the whole story, Ne- chan…
Chizu : *bows down and pats her head* Well, Nanao-chan… Let's not waste time, 'coz Ne-chan wants to see him badly now… Okay?
Nanao : *smiles* Un! Okay! These onigiris that we've made will be cold if we didn't give it to him soon!
Chizu : Yup… *stands up and walks heading to Sendoh's ward* He's here, Nanao-chan…
Nanao : Let's give him a big surprise!!!
Nanao turns the doorknob quietly, without making any sound, and pushed the door open. She tiptoed into the room but unfortunately she bumped into Rukawa, who had just exit the bathroom with his face soaked wet and his eyes red.
Rukawa : *flabbergasted* Na…Nanao-ch… *covers his mouth*
Nanao : *looks up* Huh? Who are you…? And why did you know my name…?
Rukawa : …*narrowed his eyes and arched his brows* Never mind… *walks back and sat beside Sendoh's bed*
Chizu : That guy… Those eyes…
Nanao : *turns to Chizu* One-chan knows him? Who is him?
Chizu : *shakes her head* No… But those eyes reflects… something… *closes her eyes* Oh it's nothing… *enters the room*
Rukawa : *rests his forehead against his hands* Sendoh, they're here… (in a low voice)
Sendoh : Ara? *turns to look at him* Who?? Who's here?
Rukawa : *takes a deep breath* Chizu… and Nanao…
Nanao : *jumps into the scene* Surprise, Oni-chaaaaann!!
Chizu : Ohayou, Ni-san… I brought you some flower…. Nanao had made some onigiri for you too…
Rukawa : *lifts his head and stares at her in awe* Chizu…
Chizu : *happens to hear him* Hello there, you must be Akira Ni-san's friend… *smiles*
Sendoh : Aah, Chizu… This is Rukawa Kaede, a close friend of mine…
Chizu : *walks over to him and reached out her hands* I'm Chizu, nice to meet you…
Rukawa : *keeps on looking at her with sad eyes* Chizu… *grabs her hand gently and shook it*
Nanao : Ne, Oni-chan…! Look what Nanao-chan brought you!! *pulls out her basketcase and opened it to show Sendoh what's inside* Onigiri!!!!!
Sendoh : Waaa… Arigatou, Nanao-chan…
Chizu : So, how are you feeling, Ni-san? Are you okay now??
Sendoh : *smiles while eating a rice ball* Yeah, thanks to Kaede-kun… he accompanied me and helps me dress my wounds… *turns to Rukawa and smiles to him*
Rukawa : Aah… *still speechless*
Nanao : Yikes! Ni-chan!! Look at the mess you spilled on the sheet! *points to the onigiri that had been scattered on top of the sheet*
Sendoh : *gapes a the mess below him with wide eyes* My my… *laughs and rubs his hair* Maa, I guess I can't move my arms well enough yet…
Nanao : *sighs* Yare yare… Then let Nanao-chan feed you, then… *takes an onigiri by her tiny hand and scoped it towards Sendoh's mouth…
Sendoh : A~n… *opens his mouth wide and bites a little piece of the onigiri*
Nanao : *smiles* How does it taste?
Sendoh : *winks to her* Delicious as always, Nanao-chan!
Rukawa felt that he couldn't take it anymore. He longed so much to be in Sendoh's position. Watching those who he had once called 'imouto' having fun with their 'real' brother, he felt like his heart was breaking. Now they were looking at him as a stranger whom they had just encountered at the first time. How he wished to tell them that it was him who actually saved Chizu, but it will only ending up badly. He then felt like he can't take it anymore. Even by just sitting there watching their presence, it felt like it's tearing his heart piece by piece. He decided that he will leave.
Rukawa : *stands up from the chair harshly* I'm leaving…
Chizu : Oh… What a surprise… We wished that you will stay here with us much longer though, Kaede-san… But it's nice meeting you…
Nanao : Arigatou, Kaede-san, for being my Ni-chan's friend and for taking care of him… *smiles*
Sendoh : Maa, you're leaving already? The day had just started…
Rukawa : *gulps* Uh… I got things to do…
Chizu : *smiles* Well then take care, Kaede-san…
Nanao : Bye bye…
Rukawa looked at their faces with terrified eyes. He felt like a terror is surrounding him, he felt so bad. Out of his control, he couldn't manage to take it any longer and just ran out the door without saying goodbyes or proper parting phrases to them.
Sendoh : Kaede-kun…
Chizu : Hmph! How rude he is!
Nanao : *frowns* Can't believe he just ran out like that…
Sendoh : Kaede-kun…
***
Instead of walking straight to his old house, Rukawa took a few steps away and headed towards the place which he had called 'home' this past few days. Yes, it was Sendoh's residence, the place which he had spent so much fun together with the kids while he was swapped place.
When he arrived, Rukawa stopped before the low, moss green-colored fence and looked over to see the view of the terrace.
Machi : Keisuke Ni-chan! There's someone at the door…
Rukawa didn't know that Machi was sitting there all the time, he seemed to watch who's coming to his house. It seems like he's waiting for someone. Oh well, probably Chizu or Nanao…
Keisuke : Who is it, Machi? Is it Oni-chan?
Rukawa : (whispers to himself) Keisuke… Machi…
Machi : *narrowed his eyes to focus on Rukawa's face* No, Ni-chan… It's just a stranger…
Rukawa : …Stra…nger? *eyes turned wide in incredulity*
Stranger. Is that what they called him? A stranger? Well it's true after all, huh? Rukawa's now a stranger to them, a person whom they hadn't met. He's no longer in Sendoh's body, a man who is their brother, and he can't do things like he did anymore. No longer could he hold them and play with them, laugh and talk with them, feeding them, all those things he can't do no more. Sad to think, how ironic it is, once in a few days they looked up at him as his brother who they loved most, and now he's nobody to them. Perhaps he's just another face to meet.
Hit with the fact, he ran away and rushed home, running away as if he was chased by an evil demon or so. Then the tall white brass fence of his usual house was in sight. Rukawa slowed his pace and walked over to it. He placed his hand gently on it and pushed it. It seems like it wasn't locked. Stupid of Sendoh, what if a burglar breaks in and steal all of his belongings. He then entered the yard and stepped into the house.
Rukawa : *still panting heavily for air* Maa… Home sweet home, huh?
There was only dead silence that filled the tall, white-painted ceilings of the living room. Nobody went to greet him and cling to his shoulders when he came home, like the way the kids in Sendoh's house would do to him as a brother.
Rukawa : *lowered his head and knelt* Hmm… *chuckles* And it's always empty and silent like the way it's always been… (voice softer) I hate this place… I hate myself… *shuts his eyes tight and pounds his fist on the icy white marble floor* I hate myself…
Echoes of his sobs rammed the vacant house, as Rukawa himself breaks down in the living room.
a.n : Rukawa cried too much… ~__~
Nanao : Chizu Ne-chan, is it true that Oni-chan is here?
Chizu : Well yes, Nanao… He's staying here because Oni-chan needs to be taken care of… He had some serious wounds on his stomach, and he had lost so much blood…
Nanao : Uh? Oni-chan… What happened to him? Tell me the whole story, Ne- chan…
Chizu : *bows down and pats her head* Well, Nanao-chan… Let's not waste time, 'coz Ne-chan wants to see him badly now… Okay?
Nanao : *smiles* Un! Okay! These onigiris that we've made will be cold if we didn't give it to him soon!
Chizu : Yup… *stands up and walks heading to Sendoh's ward* He's here, Nanao-chan…
Nanao : Let's give him a big surprise!!!
Nanao turns the doorknob quietly, without making any sound, and pushed the door open. She tiptoed into the room but unfortunately she bumped into Rukawa, who had just exit the bathroom with his face soaked wet and his eyes red.
Rukawa : *flabbergasted* Na…Nanao-ch… *covers his mouth*
Nanao : *looks up* Huh? Who are you…? And why did you know my name…?
Rukawa : …*narrowed his eyes and arched his brows* Never mind… *walks back and sat beside Sendoh's bed*
Chizu : That guy… Those eyes…
Nanao : *turns to Chizu* One-chan knows him? Who is him?
Chizu : *shakes her head* No… But those eyes reflects… something… *closes her eyes* Oh it's nothing… *enters the room*
Rukawa : *rests his forehead against his hands* Sendoh, they're here… (in a low voice)
Sendoh : Ara? *turns to look at him* Who?? Who's here?
Rukawa : *takes a deep breath* Chizu… and Nanao…
Nanao : *jumps into the scene* Surprise, Oni-chaaaaann!!
Chizu : Ohayou, Ni-san… I brought you some flower…. Nanao had made some onigiri for you too…
Rukawa : *lifts his head and stares at her in awe* Chizu…
Chizu : *happens to hear him* Hello there, you must be Akira Ni-san's friend… *smiles*
Sendoh : Aah, Chizu… This is Rukawa Kaede, a close friend of mine…
Chizu : *walks over to him and reached out her hands* I'm Chizu, nice to meet you…
Rukawa : *keeps on looking at her with sad eyes* Chizu… *grabs her hand gently and shook it*
Nanao : Ne, Oni-chan…! Look what Nanao-chan brought you!! *pulls out her basketcase and opened it to show Sendoh what's inside* Onigiri!!!!!
Sendoh : Waaa… Arigatou, Nanao-chan…
Chizu : So, how are you feeling, Ni-san? Are you okay now??
Sendoh : *smiles while eating a rice ball* Yeah, thanks to Kaede-kun… he accompanied me and helps me dress my wounds… *turns to Rukawa and smiles to him*
Rukawa : Aah… *still speechless*
Nanao : Yikes! Ni-chan!! Look at the mess you spilled on the sheet! *points to the onigiri that had been scattered on top of the sheet*
Sendoh : *gapes a the mess below him with wide eyes* My my… *laughs and rubs his hair* Maa, I guess I can't move my arms well enough yet…
Nanao : *sighs* Yare yare… Then let Nanao-chan feed you, then… *takes an onigiri by her tiny hand and scoped it towards Sendoh's mouth…
Sendoh : A~n… *opens his mouth wide and bites a little piece of the onigiri*
Nanao : *smiles* How does it taste?
Sendoh : *winks to her* Delicious as always, Nanao-chan!
Rukawa felt that he couldn't take it anymore. He longed so much to be in Sendoh's position. Watching those who he had once called 'imouto' having fun with their 'real' brother, he felt like his heart was breaking. Now they were looking at him as a stranger whom they had just encountered at the first time. How he wished to tell them that it was him who actually saved Chizu, but it will only ending up badly. He then felt like he can't take it anymore. Even by just sitting there watching their presence, it felt like it's tearing his heart piece by piece. He decided that he will leave.
Rukawa : *stands up from the chair harshly* I'm leaving…
Chizu : Oh… What a surprise… We wished that you will stay here with us much longer though, Kaede-san… But it's nice meeting you…
Nanao : Arigatou, Kaede-san, for being my Ni-chan's friend and for taking care of him… *smiles*
Sendoh : Maa, you're leaving already? The day had just started…
Rukawa : *gulps* Uh… I got things to do…
Chizu : *smiles* Well then take care, Kaede-san…
Nanao : Bye bye…
Rukawa looked at their faces with terrified eyes. He felt like a terror is surrounding him, he felt so bad. Out of his control, he couldn't manage to take it any longer and just ran out the door without saying goodbyes or proper parting phrases to them.
Sendoh : Kaede-kun…
Chizu : Hmph! How rude he is!
Nanao : *frowns* Can't believe he just ran out like that…
Sendoh : Kaede-kun…
***
Instead of walking straight to his old house, Rukawa took a few steps away and headed towards the place which he had called 'home' this past few days. Yes, it was Sendoh's residence, the place which he had spent so much fun together with the kids while he was swapped place.
When he arrived, Rukawa stopped before the low, moss green-colored fence and looked over to see the view of the terrace.
Machi : Keisuke Ni-chan! There's someone at the door…
Rukawa didn't know that Machi was sitting there all the time, he seemed to watch who's coming to his house. It seems like he's waiting for someone. Oh well, probably Chizu or Nanao…
Keisuke : Who is it, Machi? Is it Oni-chan?
Rukawa : (whispers to himself) Keisuke… Machi…
Machi : *narrowed his eyes to focus on Rukawa's face* No, Ni-chan… It's just a stranger…
Rukawa : …Stra…nger? *eyes turned wide in incredulity*
Stranger. Is that what they called him? A stranger? Well it's true after all, huh? Rukawa's now a stranger to them, a person whom they hadn't met. He's no longer in Sendoh's body, a man who is their brother, and he can't do things like he did anymore. No longer could he hold them and play with them, laugh and talk with them, feeding them, all those things he can't do no more. Sad to think, how ironic it is, once in a few days they looked up at him as his brother who they loved most, and now he's nobody to them. Perhaps he's just another face to meet.
Hit with the fact, he ran away and rushed home, running away as if he was chased by an evil demon or so. Then the tall white brass fence of his usual house was in sight. Rukawa slowed his pace and walked over to it. He placed his hand gently on it and pushed it. It seems like it wasn't locked. Stupid of Sendoh, what if a burglar breaks in and steal all of his belongings. He then entered the yard and stepped into the house.
Rukawa : *still panting heavily for air* Maa… Home sweet home, huh?
There was only dead silence that filled the tall, white-painted ceilings of the living room. Nobody went to greet him and cling to his shoulders when he came home, like the way the kids in Sendoh's house would do to him as a brother.
Rukawa : *lowered his head and knelt* Hmm… *chuckles* And it's always empty and silent like the way it's always been… (voice softer) I hate this place… I hate myself… *shuts his eyes tight and pounds his fist on the icy white marble floor* I hate myself…
Echoes of his sobs rammed the vacant house, as Rukawa himself breaks down in the living room.
a.n : Rukawa cried too much… ~__~